It isn't unproblematic for any child whose parents are divorced. However, sometimes its more beneficial for the parents if they do go separate ways. Other times it may be for reasons that aren't so well intended, such as cheating on your partner.

Then there is the predicament of how parents treat each other plus their children after they split up. Not all divorces are indeed pleasant. There are plenty of times the kids get caught in the middle of the dispute. Unfortunately, it's often them paying the price. Angela David's parents divorced when she'd been six. Two years later, her father had remarried. Shortly after he'd remarried, her younger sister Vixen had been born.

It hadn't escaped Angela's notice that her mother, Dominique Destine, didn't handle the divorce well. So her mother best friend, Andrea, had to help her process her emotions regarding her ex moving on with his life.

Angela felt bad her mother hadn't found anyone since the divorce. She'd just celebrated her fifteenth birthday. Her wish had been the same since she'd become a sister. She wished with all her heart that her mother could find love again. Dominique was certainly quite rough around the edges. She was extremely guarded with her emotions. However, both her parents had tempers to match.

Today Angela sat at a high-priced establishment having lunch with her mother. The custody agreement was she lived half the year with each parent. Thus, spending weekends with the parent, she currently wasn't with. January through June, she lived with her mother. While July to December, she lived with her father. Since it was November, she lived with her father. Thus this was her weekend with her mother.

Angela couldn't help except wish her little sister was here. In addition to her mother grappling to find love again? It'd been tough for her to accept her daughter's sister. After weeks of talking to her therapist, plus listening to her best friend's advice? Dominique eventually accepted Vixen without holding a grudge. However, she still didn't care for Angela's stepmother, Elisa.

"Something the matter, darling?" Dominique looked up from the menu. Her sparkling green eyes were gazing into her daughter's own.

"It's nothing, Mother. I'm fine," she lied unsuccessfully. Her mother gave her a look.

"Angela, I asked you not to lie to me. Would you please tell me what's troubling you? If its something to do with your father, I promise I won't make a scene while we're in public."

"No, it's nothing to do with Father. I'm actually thinking of my younger sister."

Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter with Vixen? Is she unwell?"

"No, she's not ill, Mother. But, unless you count being isolated, she's having a challenging time making friends at school. Other than Alex Xanatos and our downstairs neighbor Tabby Grant, she hasn't made any friends."

"Well, socializing isn't genuinely easy for anyone. Everyone has some degree of anxiety when it comes to meeting other people. On the other hand, making friends isn't effortless, even if you're an incredibly amicable individual. Breaking the ice and finding commonality is a tricky thing. Count your sister's blessing. She has at least two friends."

"I'm appreciative she's two friends, Mother. However? I nevertheless wish she'd a few more. She doesn't get to interact all that much with Alex outside of school.

Nor is Tabby available frequently after school. Between her playing soccer, ballet, and book club? Plus the demanding line of work Tabby's parents have? So it's not that big a surprise she doesn't have a lot of free time," taking a moment to sip her fruit drink.

Wiping her lips, she continued, "Father recently enrolled Vixen in a beginners level gymnastic class. We hope she makes some friends there. I'm trying to persuade her to give the school book club a try, given she loves to read. However, she still gets anxious quite easily. Thus it hinders her in making friends."

"Has Vixen ever been evaluated for either learning disabilities or mental health issues?" Dominique inquired curiously. Angela shook her head. "It's been recommended several times by the school. However, Elisa seems a bit skeptical of it. Although, I don't understand why."

"Well, as your mother? If I felt you needed to be evaluated, I'd unquestionably do it in a heartbeat. After all, I enrolled you in therapy following the divorce, given I didn't desire your mental health to tank because of it."

"Yes, I'm quite satisfied with the progress I'm making with my current therapist. However, I greatly wish Vixen would see one. I believe it could only benefit her."

"It's not my place, Angela. However, if it makes you feel better, I can talk to Elisa about it over coffee. Nothing invasive, simply two mothers talking about their daughters.

Would that help put your mind at ease some? Possibly all Elisa needs is a heart-to-heart with another mother. To ease whatever anxiety she has regarding her child seeing a therapist."

"I'll have to ask Father first. Yet truthfully? That indeed would make me quite pleased. I don't think I'd be performing my responsibilities as her big sister otherwise. Thank you, Mother."

"Anything that makes you happy, my daughter? That is my responsibility to fulfill. True, I'll never genuinely like your stepmother. But, I can tolerate her, and I've accepted Vixen following numerous years of struggling with it.

However, I'll not fail you in your responsibilities to support your precious sister. Therefore shall we finish lunch? Maybe we can stop somewhere and get Vixen a present? Would that be acceptable?"

"Yes, Mother! It certainly would be!" both mother and daughter smiled. Then proceed to eat their lunch before leaving to find the perfect gift for Vixen. All in all, a perfect day!

Cultivate Happiness

Happiness is a conscious choice that lights a fire within. Then fans that fire outward. It's not something you acquire from others. Or discover outside of yourself.

What makes you happy, lighter, and time flies by?

Do more of these things often. Seek out experiences that set your soul on fire. Cultivate happiness daily in small ways.

A happy life is simply all of those smaller happy moments combined.